Heading Home: Argos Ink LB James Yurichuk

MISSISSAUGA-The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that free agent linebacker, and Brampton, Ontario native, James Yurichuk (pro: YER-IH-CHUCK) has signed with the club through the 2014 season.

Commented Argonauts General Jim Barker, “Whenever you have a chance to bring a player like James home it’s great for the organization and for the community. He is one of the most durable players in the CFL, one of the top special teams players and a Grey Cup champion. He has started games on defence, which gives us a lot of flexibility with our ratio. We’re very excited to have him join our team.”

Yurichuk has spent his entire career with the B.C. Lions playing both on special teams and at linebacker. The fourth overall pick in the 2009 CFL Canadian Draft, Yurichuk has yet to miss a single a game, or go a season without making the playoffs. His best season came in 2011 when he recorded 28 defensive tackles, 12 special teams tackles and two (2) fumble recoveries, and helped the Lions to a Grey Cup championship. This past year, Yurichuk finished with nine (9) defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles and two (2) interceptions in 18 regular season games.

James Yurichuk commented, “It’s hard to describe this feeling right now. You grow up watching your favourite team, and you just hold out hope that one day you get to put on the Double Blue. I know what it’s like to defend a Championship, because I did it in 2012 with the B.C. Lions. Everybody is gunning for you because you’re at the top of the mountain. I feel that I can bring that sort of perspective into this locker room while fitting in well with the high quality of talent that is already here.”

Yurichuk spent four seasons at Bishop’s University where he totalled 164 career tackles, good enough for second all-time at the school. As a senior he earned Second-Team All Canadian and QUFL All-Star. He was selected to play in the East-West Bowl after finishing the season with 59.5 tackles, third–most in the CIS. Born in Brampton, he starred at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.